Overview & Reviews

Born in Japan, Suzuki is an automaker that has made a name for itself by crafting vehicles that emphasize value and affordability. Through the years, the brand's lineup has included sedans, wagons and SUVs. However, in late 2012 the company decided to stop selling new vehicles in the United States.

The company was founded by Michio Suzuki in 1909 as Suzuki Loom Works. By the 1950s, its focus had expanded beyond just loom machines to include both motorcycles and automobiles. In 1955, it rolled out the Suzulight, a compact car that proved to be a harbinger of a new era of Japanese lightweight vehicles. The automaker expanded its lineup to include a truck in 1961. Like its sibling, the tiny Suzulight Carry pickup distinguished itself with its featherweight specification. By the end of the decade, the Suzuki lineup had grown to include the Fronte passenger car, the subcompact Fronte 800 and the Carry Van full-cab van.

In 1970, Suzuki rolled out the Jimny, a four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle that resembled a playful version of the Jeep CJ-5. The automaker's roster continued to grow throughout this decade, with the addition of the Alto and the subcompact LJ80.

The 1980s saw Suzuki partnering with General Motors when GM acquired a 5 percent stake in the company. GM made this move partially in response to the growing popularity of subcompacts in the U.S. market. After the purchase, Suzuki products were rebadged and sold as GM vehicles on American shores.

In 1985, the carmaker launched an American outpost, and for the first time, Suzuki-branded vehicles became available in the U.S. The company's first model was the Samurai; available as either a convertible or a hardtop, this compact SUV met with immediate success. However, the Samurai's glory days were short-lived.

In 1988, Consumer Reports published an article in which it deemed the Samurai unsafe, saying it was more likely than most to roll over during certain maneuvers. Suzuki took the magazine to court (and eventually won) but the bad publicity from the article cast a pall on the Samurai that never quite lifted. Suzuki soldiered on, though. By the end of the decade its total aggregate car production had topped 10 million units, and its line had grown to include the compact Swift and the Sidekick, a compact SUV.

During the '90s, Suzuki expanded its reach to include territories like Egypt, Vietnam and Hungary, and launched new models like the Cappuccino convertible and the lightweight Wagon R. On U.S. soil, Suzuki rolled out the Esteem, dropped the beleaguered Samurai, introduced the two-seat, T-topped X-90 and replaced the Sidekick with the Vitara and Grand Vitara.

Suzuki and General Motors purchased ailing Daewoo in 2004, and two of that manufacturer's vehicles were rebadged and given new life as Suzukis. The Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Verona both had former lives as Daewoo cars.

Through the first decade of the 2000s, Suzuki continued to evolve and improve its models, culminating in the Kizashi, a midsize sedan that was good enough to challenge segment front runners. But with overall sales and consumer interest stuck on a downward trend, Suzuki finally announced bankruptcy and termination of its U.S. vehicle operations in late 2012. The company plans to honor existing warranties, and some Suzuki dealers will continue to provide parts and service.

User Reviews:

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  Reliable and economical transportation - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By vr6stud - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car new. 17 months of trouble free driving at an average of 42 mpg in the city. Perfect commuter transportation for those who arent in a hurry to hug the bumper of the SUV in front of them. Comfortable front seats with controls and gauges ergonomically designed. Not having ABS brakes makes for some fun cornering if youre in the mood, but dont expect to accelerate past much of anything on the road with 4 wheels and a motor. 79 horsepower is the price you pay for that great fuel economy.

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  BUDRO - 2003 Suzuki XL-7
  By BUDRO - March 19 - 10:00 am

  MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT MANY DIFFERENT MID SIZE SUVS WHEN CAME UPON THE XL7 WE REALIZED WE FOUND JUST THE RIGHT MIX. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. FIT AND FINISH IS SUPERB, THE RIDE IS NICE BUT YOU CANT EXPECT A CADILLAC RIDE FROM AN SUV STILL THE XL7 FEELS GOOD. THE INTERIOR LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING YOU WOULD FIND ON A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. ACCELERATION IS GOOD JUST DONT EXPECT V8 TYPE POWER INA 2.7 LITER V6.

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  Tried and true - 2004 Suzuki Vitara
  By alby - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Aging it may be....but the the "Bug" was aging as well. Does not mean that it cannot be a good reliable vehichle for getting the groceries, shopping or just knocking about for us older Babes. It is as comfortable as any other car/truck that I have had.

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  Sweet - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By ateuptomuch - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car it has speed, good handling and lots of head room

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  Good car - 2004 Suzuki Aerio
  By Janell19 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove my Aerio from Wa state to Texas and back on each drive we averaged about 32 miles to the gallon. In town I get about 30- 40. I was a comfortable car as well as hardly any one had seen one yet so it made it that much more fun.

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  2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By owlsnest - March 4 - 2:13 am

  The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury is one niec truck to drive. Its interior is very pleasant. It has a very solid and quiet highway ride. Suzuki has a winner on its hands.

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  nice car - 2004 Suzuki Forenza
  By Sarita - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Liked price and looks and features and price,real sporty. Just got and having fun .One nightmare was the only way to get it was the high financing for 66 months of 296.00 and 100.00 down ..What happened to the advertized low payments ,this is going to turn off my friends who like my car, can anyone help on a better rate. I pay my bills.

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  kizashi experience - 2011 Suzuki Kizashi
  By hraez - February 28 - 4:26 am

  Just purchased a 2011 Kizashi SE, I have to say that for the money there is absolutely nothing that comes close to this car, I test drove the KIA Optima, Buick Regal, Volvo C30, Mini Clubman, even the Mazda CX7 and I thought the value offered by the Kizashi couldnt be matched. I encourage anyone looking for a midsized or sport sedan to do yourself a favor and test drive the Kizashi, due to poor marketing efforts by Suzuki the Kizashi is not known and is not selling very well which gives the buyer good leverage when negotiating a deal, I got mine for $3600 less than the sticker price and I also got 0% financing for 60 months.

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  10+ Years only ONE maintainence issue - 2005 Suzuki XL-7
  By Toni Stark - February 23 - 8:02 pm

  They dont make Suzuki anymore :(. Reliable, sturdy great car for making long trips as a hospice nurse. Only one maintainence issue (brake line) in 10+ years!!!! Had to replace the CD player twice both under warranty! Overall excellent reliable easily maintained vehicle! Love! Lots of room and cargo space!!!!!!

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  Great Transportation - 2001 Suzuki Swift
  By Bob75 - February 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Swift but have had two Geo Metros (same car). The mechanicals are bulletproof. The car is very economical, comfortable and easy to drive. I have made 1500 mile trips in two days in these vehicles.